The Role of the History of Mathematics in the Teaching
and Learning of Mathematics

In the series of ICMI Studies on issues and themes which are crucial
in contemporary mathematics education, the next study is devoted to the
role of the history of mathematics in the teaching and learning of mathematics.

As is the case with any ICMI Study, the Executive Committee of ICMI
appoints an International Programme Committee (IPC) to conduct the study.
This means that the IPC is responsible for producing a so-called Discussion
Document to set the stage for the study. The Discussion Document, which
will contain a brief outline of the field in question and identify the
issues and themes to be dealt with in the study, is going to be published
internationally as widely as possible, including in this Bulletin. Readers
are invited to react to the Discussion Documents in writing by submitting
ideas, proposals, abstracts or drafts of papers and so forth for consideration
by the IPC. On the basis of the reactions received and of the deliberations
within the IPC itself, the IPC will organise an invited Study Conference
of 50-100 participants (presumably about 80) to be held in France, most
probably in the beginning of 1998. Attendance will be a mixture of international
experts in the field and newcomers to it who have interesting ideas or
considerations to offer.

After the Study Conference, and based mainly but not exclusively on
invited and contributed papers to this conference, the final result of
the Study will be pro- duced: A volume in the ICMI Study Series published
under the general editorship of the Series editors, the President and the
Secretary of ICMI. This volume will have the two Co-Chairs of the IPC as
editors-in-chief. It is intended that the Study Volume will be ready for
presentation at ICME-9 in 2000.

The IPC for the ICMI Study on the Role of the History in the Teaching
and Learning of Mathematics is composed as follows:

John Fauvel, UK, Co-Chair

Jan van Maanen, The Netherlands, Co-Chair

Jean-Luc Dorier, France, Local Organiser

Abraham Arcavi, Israel Evelyne Barbin, France

Florence Fasanelli, USA

Alejandro Garciadiego, Mexico

Ewa Lakoma, Poland

Man-Keung Siu, Hong Kong

Mogens Niss, Denmark, ex officio, representing ICMI.

If you are interested in this Study in some way or other, or if you
have any queries, please contact one of the Co-Chairs: